--- title: What To Consider When Choosing A Conveyor Belt Edge Sealing System description: Discover essential tips for choosing and maintaining effective edge sealing systems in conveyor operations to prevent belt damage and spillage. --- [Skip to content](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/conveyor-belt-edge-distance-requirements#main-content) [![Martin Engineering Signature Logo](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB.png?height=40&name=MartinEng_Sig_2c_RGB.png)](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) - Topics Show submenu for Topics - [Belt Conveyor System Basics](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems) - [Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking) - [Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage) - [Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning) - [New Technology](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-flow) - [Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/dust-management) - [Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance) - [Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-spillage) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Topics Show submenu for Topics - [Belt Conveyor System Basics](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems) - [Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking) - [Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage) - [Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning) - [New Technology](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-flow) - [Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/dust-management) - [Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance) - [Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/migration/en/knowledge/material-spillage) - [Request Assistance](https://info.martin-eng.com/request-assistance) [Request Assistance](https://info.martin-eng.com/request-assistance?hsLang=en) Hi! How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Foundations™ Learning Center](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Material Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-spillage?hsLang=en) # What To Consider When Choosing A Conveyor Belt Edge Sealing System ## Guidelines for Effective Edge Sealing Systems in Conveyor Operations Careful consideration should be given when [selecting an edge sealing system](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/engineered-belt-conveyor-sealing-systems?hsLang=en) that fits within the available space between the belt's edge and the [steel skirtboard](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/belt-conveyor-skirtboard-construction?hsLang=en). Sealing strips should not protrude beyond the belt's edge, as this can lead to damage to the seal or [the belt](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/conveyor-belt-edge-damage?hsLang=en) if the belt [mistracks](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/causes-of-conveyor-belt-mistracking?hsLang=en). Typically, a minimum distance of 115 millimeters (4.5 inches) outside the skirtboard steel on each side of the loading zone is recommended to ensure an effective seal. All skirt-sealing systems are susceptible to damage from a mistracking belt. If the belt shifts from under one side of the skirtboard, the unsupported sealing strip may hang down below the belt's path. When the belt returns to a centered position, the seal may rub against the moving belt's edge, potentially causing abrasion, or it may bend backward, risking tearing or wearing away. Both scenarios increase the risk of [spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge/safety-risks-of-dust-and-fugitive-material?hsLang=en) significantly. To prevent damage to edge seals, it is crucial to maintain adequate distance from the belt edge and to ensure proper belt tracking control.   - [Basics of Belt Conveyor Systems](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/basics-of-belt-conveyor-systems?hsLang=en) - [Conveyor Belt Mistracking](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/conveyor-belt-mistracking?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor and Component Damage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/belt-conveyor-and-component-damage?hsLang=en) - [Material Carryback and Belt Cleaning](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-carryback-and-belt-cleaning?hsLang=en) - [Material Spillage](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-spillage?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor Safety](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/belt-conveyor-safety?hsLang=en) - [Dust Management](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/dust-management?hsLang=en) - [Material Flow](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/material-flow?hsLang=en) - [New Technology and Innovation](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/new-technology-and-innovation?hsLang=en) - [Belt Conveyor System Maintenance](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/knowledge/belt-conveyor-system-maintenance?hsLang=en) [![Martin Engineering Signature Logo](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MartinEng_SigLogo_2c_150px_Padded.png?width=196&height=55&name=MartinEng_SigLogo_2c_150px_Padded.png "Martin Engineering Signature Logo")](https://foundations.martin-eng.com/en/knowledge?hsLang=en) Foundations™ Learning Center Copyright © 2025, Martin Engineering